Former Vanderbilt football player found guilty of rape

Former Vanderbilt football player Brandon Banks was convicted on counts of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery on Friday.
(Lacy Atkins/The Tennessean via AP, Pool)

A former Vanderbilt University football player charged in the 2013 rape of an unconscious female student was convicted on Friday evening.

Brandon Banks was found guilty of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery but was found not guilty on five other counts. The decision came after the jury deliberated for 15 hours. His trial had started on Monday.

Banks, one of four former players charged with assaulting the woman, testified that he was bullied into participating in the incident. Prosecutors dismissed his explanation as an excuse made up because there was video evidence.

Two of the other players involved were already convicted and sentenced to 15 and 17 years in prison. The fourth player has testified against his teammates. That player’s trial is still pending.